This Is What French Girls Drink to Cure a Bloated Stomach

The French are just as influential in the health and wellness space as they are in the fashion world. And for good reason: Their flair for the natural lends itself to balance and realism when it comes to eating and drinking. With summer on the brain, we've (unsurprisingly) found ourselves turning to our French counterparts once again—this time for their advice on shaping up for the warmer months.

Their secret? Tisane, or herbal tea. "For as long as I can remember, my family has always had this nighttime ritual: We finished dinner, we cleaned the table, loaded the dishwasher, and my mom would prepare a big pot of tisane," shares French health and food writer Emilie Durand on MindBodyGreen. "Consumed as a nighttime ritual or all day long, a tisane is considered as a remède de grand-mère (grandma's cure) for all the little ailments you may have."

When it comes to avoiding bloating and shaping up for the summer, Durand turns to a star anise infusion. "Star anise is excellent to avoid bloating and reduce gas," she explains. "In the form of an infusion, this grandmother's cure will be effective in improving your digestion and preventing stomachaches."

To prepare the tisane, "Put four whole star anise in your cup, pour boiling water over it, cover it with a piece of foil or a plate, and infuse for 10 minutes. Remove star anise and drink," instructs Durand. "For a therapeutic effect, drink a cup after each meal. I personally drink it after a big meal on the weekend." Head over to MindBodyGreen for different kinds of tisane, and shop our tea essentials below.